Islanders Sign Top Pick Matthew Schaefer to Entry-Level Contract

The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Matthew Schaefer, the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, to a three-year entry-level contract. The deal includes performance bonuses, potentially totaling up to $4.475 million. Schaefer, 17, is expected to compete for a spot on the Islanders' blue line during training camp. If he doesn't make the roster after nine games, he will return to the OHL's Erie Otters. The signing marks the beginning of a new era for the Islanders, with Schaefer poised to be a key figure in the team's future.